Segun Babatunde in Bauchi
The Bauchi state Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has reiterated that he has no apology for kicking against the profiling of the Fulani tribe as killers and kidnappers.
This is just as the Governor disclosed that his government has approved over N32 million for the 2021 Livestock Vaccination campaign,stressing that Bauchi is one of the leading livestock producers in the country.
The Governor who spoke during the official launching of the 2020/2021 annual livestock vaccination campaign, held at Galambi Cattle Ranch in Bauchi Wednesday said that the Fulani tribe over the years have been making so much sacrifices in their nomadic and pastoral life.
He Pointed out that the protein needs of the country through the supply of beef would not have been possible without their contribution, saying that there is no tribe or group that is free from criminality, so labeling a particular tribe with crime is unfair and breeds disunity in the country.
According to him, “We kicked against the profiling of the Fulanis as killers and kidnappers, we have no apology for what we have done because what we have done is to say the truth, that there is no tribe or group that is free from criminality. We are not saying that to spite anybody or spark unnecessary controversy, we have made our point. Nigerians across the board has discussed it and I am happy to say that from all indications, majority of sensible Nigerians have appreciated what we have said and that is the point”.
“I will therefore need not to mention anything of this matter for fear that controversy will be escalated, I will listen to voices of reasoning and keep quiet about it. I am calling on our brothers, the Fulanis to ensure that they make their communities free of criminality”
He added that “They must make sure that they fish out the bad eggs from among themselves because criminality is criminality. In as much as we will protect them that they cannot be profiled badly, they should make efforts to show that majority of them are good citizens, contributing positively to the growth and development of Nigeria” he said
Governor Mohammed said that his administration will free resources which belongs to the Fulani pastoralists in order for them to have their own right of way, thereby reducing the conflicts between Fulani Herders and farmers.
He said the government has approved and released the sum of N32,147,500,000 for the conduct of the 2021 annual livestock vaccination campaign in the state,adding that the money covered for vaccines, equipment and allowances for the exercise.
According to him, livestock rearing not only brings income to the people, but serves as means of supplementing protein requirements of the people as well as raw materials to industries.
He said his administration is aware of the significant contribution of the veterinary sub-sector in the area of public health, preventive medicine, food security and safety among others.
The governor said the sub-sector has equally been playing a big role in the control of emerging diseases most of which are zoonotic in nature.
“I understand that the consistent and sustained vaccination of livestock against various diseases is a way of controlling and eliminating diseases which devastating impact on our livestock.”
“Because of the efforts of the Bauchi State Veterinary Department in the disease reporting, the World Health Organisation for Animal Health through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) Department of Veterinary and Pest Control donated 6,000 doses of Anti-rabies vaccines to Bauchi State.”
Governor Bala Mohammed said in an effort to ensure maximum support to veterinary profession, the state government decided to sustain the veterinary student’s manpower scheme inherited from the previous administration despite embargo on employment.
“This Administration has been maintaining and supporting the State Agency for Nomadic Education with a view to educating our teeming nomadic population thereby improving livestock production in the state.”
The governor said the state government has equally been collaborating with Federal Government on the full implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Programme to improve livestock sub-sector of the economy, reduce poverty, create awareness and bring the nomadic fulani closer to government.
“My Administration is aware of the activities of fulani organisations in promoting peaceful coexistence in the state, promoting the interest and wellbeing of pastoralists, wealth creation and conflict mediation particularly in the state.”
The governor used the medium to commend professional bodies in complementing the efforts of his administration in the area of animal production health and the general public health.
In a keynote address, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr Olaniran Alabi said rabies is one of the priority transboundary animal diseases and has remained endemic in Nigeria since it was first reported in 1912 where some of the constraints in the control of the disease is that major of dogs are unlice, unvaccinated and allowed to room freely in the communities.
He said rabies is a highly fatal vital disease affecting all warm-blooded animals and noted that, it was transmitted through the bite of an infected animal or man with 99 percent fatality if efficient post exposure prophylaxis is not instituted early.
“I wish to specially appreciate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi state, Senator Bala Abdulkadir for his continuous support and keen interest in all veterinary and livestock activities in Bauchi state.”
On his part, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Samaila Burga said the state government has provided an enabling environment to enhance the production capacity of livestock farmers by tackling their challenges encountered in the process.
The Commissioner said eight hundred thousand livestock animals and six thousand rabies would be vaccinated in the 2021 livestock vaccination campaign. END
